Arguing

[JRutledge]

As a football, basketball and baseball official/umpire, I feel baseball we have less to do with the outcome of a game than any of those sports. If a batter swings and hits the ball as umpires we have no way to control the outcome of most those plays. Of course you can argue and some might consider what you have to say. Just understand that we do not hit the ball, pitch the ball or catch the ball. Even if an umpire had something against you it is entirely possible that anything he calls is not going to make a difference.

Peace

[DG]

I know several veteran coaches who seldom argue. If they come out to argue a judgment call, listen, because you probably blew one, and you are the only one who does not know it. If they come out to discuss a rule, listen, they may be right, not maybe not. These guys will be very calm arguers.

So if you never argue, you are probably hurting your team, especially if a rule is involved and you are right and the umpire is wrong. If you discuss a rule calmly the umpire will be more likely to listen to you.

[SAump]

The other thing I see is how players or coaches often FALSELY react to perfectly obvious judgement calls. They seek to gain an advantage by role-playing for their team FANS afterward. Perhaps the behavior should receive an ESPY award for most dramatic foolishness of the YEAR. I wonder if a new TV reality show would like to focus on this athletic behavior and attempt to control or limit the following actions of any player or coach. It seems they get away with it more often (always) than not (ever punished?). I suppose it provides entertainment value, but what has it done to our social values of taking responsibility for ones actions?

[TwoBits]

True story:

Early in the first inning of a high school aged summer travel ball tournament, I had a banger at first for the third out. Here comes the manager from the third base box yelling how his runner was safe, blah, blah, blah. As he got closer to me he silently told me, "Good call, blue. I'm just trying to support my players." I was too stunned to even reply.

RAT!!!

[irefky]

I have had umpires to come out and argue a call and tell me face to face, "I agree with your call but I have to prove to my team that I am fighting for them." The coach would be speaking to me in a manner that it was respectful but look more threatening. The only thing I said to the coach, I understand.

I have heard a coach ask someone to throw them from a game just to show his players he is backing them up. I am sure that has changed a great deal now since in KY a coach or school gets fined once they are ejected.

As far as does it benefit you from my standpoint, na. Will it help you get the next call, na. Now I can only speak for myself and probably most umps on here will tell you the same thing. I know and have witnessed that this does prove to work with some officials.

[blueump]

Originally Posted by TwoBits

True story:

Early in the first inning of a high school aged summer travel ball tournament, I had a banger at first for the third out. Here comes the manager from the third base box yelling how his runner was safe, blah, blah, blah. As he got closer to me he silently told me, "Good call, blue. I'm just trying to support my players." I was too stunned to even reply.

RAT!!!

Not me! "Good coach, then show them your total support by having a seat in the dugout with them for the rest of the game!"

[mbyron]

Two weeks ago, I had a varsity coach approach me after what looked like a "catch and carry" on a foul ball down the 1B line. He had R2, R3, so a run was at stake, though his team was up by a lot (10 or more). I had ruled that the fielder did not leave LBT, and here comes the coach: "are you SURE he didn't... you know, I don't need this run, I shouldn't have come over here. Sorry."

Uh, no problem, coach.

Now there's a coach who knows how to preserve his ammo.